Royal Caribbean expands brand line

A former Hapag Lloyd vessel, the Europa is undergoing a €30 million (US$42 million) revamping before it is deployed in fleet of Royal Caribbean in the French market with a new name, the Bleau de France.

The ship is expected to set sail in May of next year. It has 375 cabins and is part of Royal Caribbean subsidiary CDF Croisiéres de France. “The onboard experience of Bleu de France’s guests will be totally French from cuisine to entertainment to décor,” says a release from Royal Caribbean. “French will be the language used on the ship as well.”

The first itinerary for the Bleu de France will be the Mediterranean. In the winter of 2008-2009 the ship will be sailing out of La Romana in the Dominican Republic.